This is the conclusion of a study into the fat content of pregnant primate diets. This research disclosed that a diet where more than a third of calories comes from fat changes a crucial gene in the foetus, which controls appetite rhythm.

This Japanese study highlighted that the offspring of such monkeys were also more likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The main gene impacted was Npas2, which controls food intake and sleep.

Scientists discovered that improving the the pregnant mother's of the offpsring's diet partly helped towards normalising the gene, lowering the risk of childhood obesity .

It is important to know such information so we as societies "can introduce changes which can translate into a lower risk of or obesity in our next generation," said lead researcher Kjersti Aagaard-Tillery.